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Cuisine and Culinary Arts in Italy

Culinary arts – Italy

7 days Rome & Naples

Culinary arts

The Culinary Arts Faculty-Led Program in Italy offers students a unique opportunity to explore industrial food production, agricultural science, and culinary heritage across Rome and Naples, two of Italy’s most historically rich and gastronomically significant cities.

Over 7 days and 6 nights, participants will engage with leading universities, global institutions, and large-scale food producers, gaining insight into how technological innovation and agricultural science shape sustainable global supply chains. The program blends academic engagement, industrial site visits, and hands-on culinary practice for a comprehensive study abroad experience.

Through expert lectures and immersive site visits, students will trace food from soil to table. Academic highlights include a focused lecture on global food security, sustainable supply chains, and crop diversity at the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization headquarters, and a session at the University of Naples Federico II’s Department of Agricultural Sciences exploring how Mount Vesuvius’s volcanic soil shapes the chemical composition of local tomatoes, grapes, and citrus. Industrial exposure comes via a guided tour of Pastificio Lucio Garofalo S.p.A. in Gragnano, where students observe PGI-certified, large-scale pasta production using traditional bronze-die extrusion techniques. Multiple hands-on cooking classes throughout the trip, including an authentic experience in Sorrento, bring these lessons directly into the kitchen.

Beyond the culinary and agricultural focus, students will enjoy guided tours of the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Vatican Museums, along with traditional dining experiences celebrating Roman cuisine.

Itinerary

  • Day 1: Depart from the USA

    Flight

    Depart from the USA on an overnight flight to Rome.

    Overnight

    In flight.

  • Day 2: Arrival in Rome

    Morning

    Arrive in Rome and make your own way to the hotel. Meet your TLAC group leader in the lobby of the hotel for check in. Transit passes will be distributed.

    Remainder of the day

    Free day to rest after arrival.

    Overnight

    Rome.

  • Day 3: Rome: Colosseum and Roman Forum

    Morning

    Guided walking tour of historic Rome, exploring the Colosseum and public water supply systems of the ancient empire.

    Noon

    Lunch break.

    Afternoon

    Visit to the Roman Forum which was the site of triumphal processions and elections; the venue for public speeches, criminal trials and gladiatorial matches; and the nucleus of commercial and legal affairs.

    Evening

    Welcome dinner at Trattoria Da Enzo to discover the traditional Roman cusine.

    Overnight

    Rome.

  • Day 4: Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization and Vatican Museums

    Morning

    Visit to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations headquarters in Rome, students will have a focused lecture on global food security, sustainable supply chains, and crop diversity.

    Noon

    Lunch break.

    Afternoon

    Guided Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel tour. The Vatican views philosophy as a crucial partner to faith, utilizing reason to explore truth, defend doctrine, and engage with modern culture. Rooted heavily in the traditions of Aristotle and St. Thomas Aquinas, the Holy See champions the idea that faith and reason are complementary.

    Evening

    Cooking class to discover the authentic roman cuisine.

    Overnight

    Rome.

  • Day 5: Rome to Naples

    Morning

    Check out previous accommodations.

    Depart by train from Rome to Naples.

    Noon

    Lunch break.

    Afternoon

    Check in at the new accommodations.

    Academic guest lecture at the University of Naples Federico II (Department of Agricultural Sciences), where students will discover how the volcanic soil profiles of Mount Vesuvius influence the chemical composition of local tomatoes, grapes, and citrus fruits.

    Overnight

    Naples.

  • Day 6: Naples: Day Trip to Gragnano and Sorrento

    Morning

    Depart by private coach from Naples to Gragnano.

    Guided visit to the Pastificio Lucio Garofalo s.p.a. Pastificio Lucio Garofalo S.p.A. is a major industrial pasta producer operating under strict PGI certification guidelines. Here the students will see how pasta is made in an industrial company. The facility utilizes large-scale industrial bronze-die extrusion machinery to impart a rough, highly porous surface texture onto the dough, maximizing starch retention and sauce adhesion.

    Noon

    Lunch break.

    Afternoon

    Depart by private coach from Gragnano to Sorrento.

    Free time.

    Evening

    Cooking class at Peninsula Experience where students will learn to cook authentic dishes in a familiar way, to transmit them the feelings of an Italian family.

    Depart from Sorrento to Naples.

    Overnight

    Naples.

  • Day 7: Naples: Free Day

    Students depart individually from Naples. Must checkout of accommodations by 10am.

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

  • Industrial Food Production & Supply Chain Innovation
  • Agricultural Science & Soil-to-Product Relationships
  • Global Food Security & Sustainability
  • Hands-On Culinary Technique & Authentic Cuisine
  • PGI Certification & Quality Standards
  • Real-World Exposure to Food Industry Operations
  • Cultural Heritage Through Regional Cuisine
Support for Faculty

Support for Faculty

At The Learning Abroad Co., we collaborate with faculty to design custom programs that align with their academic vision. We provide comprehensive support in curriculum development, logistics and resources for promoting and recruiting students for these unique global learning experiences.

  • Online faculty-led program website for consultation by faculty and students pre- and during the trip
  • Expertise from the local team who developed the program proposal
  • Collaborative planning for a unique and customized program
  • Feedback forms for continuous evaluation
  • Pre-departure webinar

Contact Information

We would be delighted to work with you to facilitate a rich experience for your group in Italy. If you would like to discuss any of the details in this proposal please do not
hesitate to contact us.

Contact us
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What’s Included

  • Housing

    • Students and faculty will be housed in 3-star hotel accommodation with daily breakfast included.
    • Students will share rooms: 2 students per room, each with a separate bed. Each room has its own bathroom.
    • The faculty will be provided with private bedrooms with bathrooms.

  • Meals

    • Breakfast in the hotels is included daily.
    • Two group meals are included as part of the program: a Welcome Dinner and a Farewell Dinner.

  • Transport

    • Students will primarily explore destinations on foot. All other transit is completed by the use of public transportation, which is included in the program fee. Local transit cards are provided where necessary.

  • On-Site Support

    • A TLAC team member in Italy will be assigned to your group for the duration of the program.
    • A 24-hour emergency contact number will be provided for support throughout the stay.

Contact Information

We would be delighted to work with you to facilitate a rich experience for your group in Italy. If you would like to discuss any of the details in this proposal please do not
hesitate to contact us.

Contact us
Print